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Humor and Work: Applications of Joking Behavior to Management

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Larry R. Smeltzer

Arizona State University

Terry L. Leap

Clemson University

This review focuses on three fundamental aspects of humor and work. First, we review accepted theories of humor and their implications for the field of management. Second, we review and summarize the research on humor in management and related areas of behavioral science. Third, we provide a specific application of the importance of humor and work with an examination of the legal and arbitral aspects of humor as it relates to employee relations. This review concludes that even though the interest in humor by management has been sporadic, joking behavior remains a pervasive and important topic and has the potential of providing significant insights into management and organizational behavior.

Journal of Management, Vol. 16, No. 2, 255-278 (1990)
DOI: 10.1177/014920639001600203


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